Major British Oil Spills at
Sea
Information about the largest of the British Oil Tanker disasters
in British and nearby seas recorded by the British Marine Life Study Society.
Major Tanker disasters: Torrey Canyon (1967),
Amoco Cadiz (1978), Braer (1993), Sea Empress (1996), Erika
(1999).
Smaller spills: Universe Leader (1974), Olympic Alliance (1975), Pacific
Colocotronia (1975), Eleni V (1978), Esso Bernicia (1978), Christos Bitas
(1978), Tanio (1980), Sivand (1983), Orleans (1986).
British
Oil Tanker Disasters
Brent Spar
Braer:
A Full Report is on Kevin Osborne's SHETLAND ISLES WILDLIFE
SITE. Please request link if not discovered. Shetland
News Web Site.
Sea Empress
The Sea Empress oil tanker disaster in south-west Wales during February
1996, when 71,800 tonnes of crude oil plus 480 tonnes of heavy fuel oil
were spilled into the rich marine wildlife area of the Bristol Channel
and Milford Haven, was explored in detail as a major feature in the Vernal/Summer
1996 issue of the BMLSS journal Glaucus.
A study of the harmful effects of oil spills was undertaken after the
Braer disaster in the Vernal 1993 issue of Glaucus.
Effects of Oil Pollution
on the Shore
Independent research by Andy Horton of the British
Marine Life Study Society drew conclusions about the effects of oil
pollution on the shore and in shallow seas. The results were arrived at
in a series of articles in Glaucus, mostly
since the Braer Disaster in 1993. These conclusions differ from the Friends
of the Earth Reports. However, they do concur almost exactly with Mike
Camplin's Report for the Devon Wildlife Trust published in 1993, but concluded
years before this. As Mike Camplin's Summary is concise and clear it is
repeated below:
Summary
-
Exposed sand and shingle beaches are generally self-cleaning since there
are large movements of the substrate band, and because they are not biologically
rich, they are best left uncleaned.
-
Exposed rocky shores generally have solid rock and large boulder substrates
and are generally self cleaning. In addition the animals forming the communities
living there are adapted to ragged conditions in a variety of ways. They
recover quickly from major damage, mostly by recruitment of new organisms
from outside. They are best left uncleaned. Recovery usually takes 3-4
years.
-
Sheltered rocky shores are not self cleaning habitats and are slow to recover
from major damage. They may require the removal of as much oil as possible
but dispersants are best avoided. Public pressure may demand a clean-up
despite the damage caused. Recovery usually takes about 5-10 years.
-
Sheltered sands and silts are not self cleaning and are difficult to tackle.
They are biologically rich and are best protected as far as possible using
booms.
-
References: Papers from the National Federation for Biological Recording
Conference 1993: Crises and Biological Records.
-
The British Marine Life Study Society and English Nature hold many other
references, far too numerous to be listed on this site.
-
Addenda: It is important that each beach should be assessed for the likely
effects of large scale oil pollution, because local conditions can vary
and the above statements are generalisations. There are also rare species
on British shores, and some of these have slow recruitment rates. (Andy
Horton).
-
Esso Bernicia (Shetland Isles, 1978): This damaging oil spill
of only 1200 tonnes of the more harmful fuel oil occured after a collision
with the ship against the mooring jetty. 700 tonnes of heavy oil spilled
into Sullom Voe, with strong currents rapidly dispersing the oil around
the other islands, causing a heavy mortality of rare breeding birds like
Great Northern Divers. Even 20 years later the breeding populations of
sea birds in Sullom Voe have not recovered. This spill resulted in the
establishment of a specialised work force dedicated to clearing up and
containing any future spillages.
Braer
Synopsis
British Marine Life Study Society Home Page
*
British Marine Life Study Society: Index
British Marine Life Study Society: Links
British Tanker Spills: Oiled Birds Count
Maritime &
Coastguard Agency
Oil Pollution on Rocky Shores
Oil
Spills Guide (Links)
Southampton
University Oil Spill Pages
Oil
Spill Web
The International Oil Spill
Resource and Information Center
http://www.oil-spill-web.com/
Erika
http://www.oil-spill-web.com/news/latest.htm#ERIKA:
Floating Junk
http://www.total.com/us/erika/000125us.html
http://www.total.com/us/erika/000114.html
EMail
Oil Spill Response Tel: 07771 862571